Michael Popke

Sun Prairie

Founder, Two Lakes Media Group and Freelance Writer at Freelance

Freelance writer/editor @TwoLakesMedia. 1st-time novelist. Open-minded music fan. Father of 2. Husband of 1. All-around good guy. (Repped by @Tpurcellagency)

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Articles

New App Seeks to Double Everyday Bike Rides in U.S. Before L.A. Olympics

1 week ago | sportsdestinations.com | Michael Popke

Photo © Blazej Lyjak | Dreamstime.comCommuting to work via bicycle doesn’t seem to be picking up the pace — fewer than 1% of the American workforce did so, as of 2022 — but the makers of a free new navigation app designed for the casual rider hope to change that. Cyclemate recently launched with the ambitious mission of doubling everyday bike rides in the United States ahead of the so-called “car-free” Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
Black Rodeo Culture Surging Around the Country

1 week ago | sportsdestinations.com | Michael Popke

Photo © Danny Raustadt | Dreamstime.comIn the mid-1800s, Black cowboys accounted for about one-quarter of all cowboys who were part of the ranching movement in the American West. In mainstream narratives, though, their contribution to history often is overlooked.
NIRSA to Celebrate 75 Years at April’s Conference & Expo

3 weeks ago | athleticbusiness.com | Michael Popke

If you’ve never attended the annual NIRSA Conference & Campus Rec Expo, this is the year to go. And if you’re a regular attendee, this one will be different. Why? Because NIRSA 2025 — slated for April 23-26 in Orlando, Fla. — will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the organization founded in 1950 as the National Intramurals Association, which eventually became known as the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association and then simply as NIRSA.
How Evolving Technology Influences Campus Recreation Facility Design

3 weeks ago | athleticbusiness.com | Michael Popke

Building or renovating a recreation center in 2025 requires a different mindset than it did even a few years ago — in large part because of rapidly evolving technology. From advances in heating, ventilation and air conditioning to materials used for enhancing aesthetics to the very way in which users interact with and experience a facility, tech changes are continually influencing how recreation centers are designed and constructed.
Pope Francis: Sports Fan

3 weeks ago | sportsdestinations.com | Michael Popke

Supporters wave a flag showing both Pope Francis and the crest San Lorenzo Soccer Club. The late pontiff was a strong supporter of soccer and proclaimed his loyalty to San Lorenzo multiple times. Photo © Pablo Hidalgo | Dreamstime.comAmid the outpouring of grief for, and tributes to, Pope Francis following his death on April 21 were recollections of the pontiff’s proclivity for sports and the constructive, unifying role they play in an increasingly fraying, divided world.
Lawmakers Reintroduce Bills to Help Bolster Youth Sports Facilities

3 weeks ago | sportsdestinations.com | Michael Popke

Photo © Keith Lamond | Dreamstime.comEnhancing youth sports facilities and increasing access to them are the dual focus of two new pieces of federal legislation. On April 11, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) and U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) introduced the “Youth Sports Facilities Act,” created to help build and improve youth sports facilities across the country, increase sports tourism and strengthen small businesses.
Cities Score with 2s Frees 3s, Basketball’s Version of Pitch, Hit & Run

3 weeks ago | sportsdestinations.com | Michael Popke

Photo © Volodymyr Melnyk | Dreamstime.comThe National Football League’s Punt, Pass and Kick youth football skills competition was grounded in 2017 after 56 years (RIP), but Major League Baseball’s Pitch Hit & Run is still scoring with young ballplayers. And now, basketball players young and old have a similar skills competition. Cities in at least three Midwestern states — Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota — either are or will be hosting 2s Frees 3s events this year.
Dear Meadowlark by The Wildwoods

3 weeks ago | shepherdexpress.com | Michael Popke

Straight out of Lincoln, Neb., The Wildwoods—husband-wife duo Noah (guitar) and Chloe (violin) Gose, accompanied by Andrew Vaggalis on upright bass—make sweet-sounding Americana-folk music. The trio’s laid-back fourth full-length album, Dear Meadowlark, reflects such influences as Nickel Creek, Mumford & Sons and Wisconsin’s own Bon Iver. These 11 songs are wholly rooted in the group’s personal experiences navigating adulthood, marriage and homesickness.
'Wisconsin Idols’ commemorates the known and the lesser known state stars

1 month ago | isthmus.com | Michael Popke

Dean Robbins knows a little something about heroes. He’s built his career as an author writing popular picture books — 13 and counting! — about the likes of vaccine genius Jonas Salk, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person to receive a Nobel Prize. Now, with his first book for adult readers, Robbins is turning his attention to even more heroes.
What is the Report Card On The Million Coaches Challenge?

1 month ago | sportsdestinations.com | Michael Popke

Photo © Matimix | Dreamstime.comThe vast majority (88 percent) of youth sports coaches who participate in specialized coach training feel more competent and effective in their roles. That’s the initial big takeaway from an ongoing Million Coaches Challenge study. What’s more, 94 percent of participants agree that all coaches would benefit from foundational training in youth development practices that include creating safe environments and fostering relationships with athletes.

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Michael J. Popke @michaeljpopke

17 Sep 24

RT @SDM_Overtime: #Triathlon triumph - SDM #writer @michaeljpopke shared this EXCELLENT family photo from the @IRONMANtri https://t.co/QfiE…

Michael J. Popke @michaeljpopke

12 Sep 24

I'm proud to be among the speakers at the @WisWritersAssoc's 2024 Conference in LaCrosse, as part of the "Beginner Craft" track. Looking forward to this... Register here: https://t.co/sh4GjvR4Op https://t.co/a7I55d6orw

Michael J. Popke @michaeljpopke

9 Sep 24

Thanks for the shout-out, @UWiscPress!

U of Wisconsin Press @UWiscPress

"Charming, candid, and nostalgic." Thanks to @michaeljpopke @isthmusmadison for this wonderful piece about Mike Leckrone's long-awaited memoir, MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS, coauthored with @dougmoemadison! Read the article here: https://t.co/xzhi4EoLh7 https://t.co/s5yrieiNVC